Circus toy



Sept. 2-1 1926. 1,600,237

- L. MARX Y CIRCUS TOY Filed Dec. 51. 1924 INVENTOR Louis Marx BY wfw ATT NEYS Patented Sept. 21 1926. I V

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

"LoUIs MARX, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

onions 'ToY Application filed December 31, 19 2 4. Serial No. 759,001. 1

This invention relates to an amusement device and more particularly to an amusement device or toy simulating a circus perform ance V A principal obj ect' of my present invention comprehends' the provision of a circus simulating toy embodying a plurality of figures or manikins designed and constructed to represent in appearance and simulate in action a circus performance.

More specific prime objects of the invention include the provision of a circus simulating toy in which a plurality of toy figures representing circus performers are operated in succession by motor means for producing circus performance actions characteristic of such figures; thefurther provision of a circus toy of this'character in which the performing figures are arranged circumferentially about a central figure representing a circus trainerjthe said central figure being rotatable for vcooperating with the performing-figures insuccession; the still fur ther provision of a circus toy of this nature in which the circumferentially arranged performing figures or manikins are independent of any motor mechanism the said figures and manikins being constructed and mounted to assume normal positions and to return to such normal positions. after being actuated, the motor mechanism of the circus toy being exclusive to the centrally arranged circus trainer figure with the construction such that operation of, the latter will impart the circus performing actions to the performing figures.

A correlated and important object of the invention relates to the provision of a circus toy of the character referred to in which the operating parts are reduced to a minimum, the manikins or performing figures being so inter-related as to permit operation thereof with relatively simple motor mechanism, the parts of the toy assembly being so associated and combined as to minimize any likelihood of derangement of the parts and to permit facile adjustment and repair by the child, the simplicity of organization further permitting the manufacture of the toy at comparatively low cost.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear the invention consists in the elements and their relation one with respect to the other as hereinafter sought to be defined in the claims, reference being hadto the following specification and drawlngs 1n which F lgure 1 is a perspective view of the circus simulating toy of my invention; and

Figure 2 is an elevational view thereof with parts shown in section and other parts broken to disclose the interior construction thereof.

' Referring now more in detail to the drawings, the circus toy embodying my invention in its preferred form comprises a platform representing a stage S on which are mounted simulate in action a plurality of circus perforiners, sa1d circus performing figures, erally deslgnated at P l? P and P disc-shaped memberlO which may be made of sheet metal,'the said disc-shaped platform being fixed to and supported by a motor casing 11, the said disc-shaped platform 10 being provided for supporting the p1urality of circus performing figures P to P as will be described hereinafter. j

The centrally arranged figure T representing the circus trainer is mounted forro- 'tation so as to be'movable into cooperation with the circus performing figures in succession, and to this end the trainer manikin which may be of any appropriate design and which is preferably made out of sheet metal is fixedly mounted on a rotatable disc 12 which disc is provided with a collar 13 removably attachable'to a shaft 14 forming part of the motor mechanism M, the said removable attachment being by means of a set screw 15. The manikin or figure .T is preferably provided with a movable part such as an oscillatable arm 16 carrying a stick or baton 17 which is adapted to be moved in relation to each of the performing figures 1 -1 1n characterization of 1mpart- 8131 p I U I being. arranged circumferentially abouta centrally a plurality of movable figures or manikins representing in appearance andiadapted to so The plaform or'stage S may comprise a' ing instructing signals to the circus performing manikins.

The oscillating arm and baton 16 and 17 are operated during the rotation of the trainer manikin T by means of a rod 18 extending within the body of the figure T the said rod being connected to a crank shaft 19 arranged transversely within the body of the manikin and to which crank shaft the arm 16 is fixedly attached as at 20, the said rod 13 extending beneath the disc 12 through an aperture 21 thereof so as to be movable into engagement with a plurality of upstanding cam portions 22,22, which forconvenience and simplicity of constru'ctionln iay be struck up from the platform member 10. The lower end of the rod 18 may be appropriately looped as at 23 to.

limit theupward movement of the rod and to facilitate the riding of the bottom terminal of t e rod over the cam shaped upstanding portions 22, 22. By means of this construc tion, it will be apparent that upon rotation of the'motor shaft 14 the circus trainer figure will be rotated and the arm and baton thereof will be appropriately oscillated during rotation of the figure, and as will become clearer hereinafter the oscillation of the arm and baton will synchronize with the movement imparted to the circus performing figures P to P I I The circus performing figure P in the construction embodied in the drawings comprises an elephant made of sheet metal the 5 body of which includes the mating sheet metal sections 24 and 25 fixedly attached to thestage platform 10 as at 26, the said elephant figure being provided with a movable head and trunk 27 pivoted to the body section as at 28, the said movable head and trunk being adapted to be actuated by means of a lever 29 arranged between the body sections 24 and 25 and pivoted thereto as at 30the said lever being provided with an ac tuating arm 31. The movable parts of the elephant figure are adapted to gravitationally assume the normal positions shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and with the construction provided it will be evident that when the actuating arm 31 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow the head and trunk 27 of the elephant figure will be moved in response. The actuating arm 31 is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow by means of an operating member 32 which isfixed to the disc 12 for rotation therewith; and when the circus trainer figure T moves in the direction of the performing figure P the operating member or arm 32 engages or strikes the actuating arm 31 to impart motion to the elephant head and trunk 27. It will now be apparent that when the actuating arm 31 is released by the operating member 32 in the further rotation of the same'the movable parts of the elephant figure will return to their normal positions as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The circus performing figure P is preferably constructed to simulate a climbing animal 33 of any appropriate configuration or design sljidably movable on a pole or standard 34 which latter is fixedly attached to the platform 10. The said climbing figure 33 normally assumes by gravitation the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings be ing held in this position by means of a leaf spring 35 provided with a loop 36 atone end which loop is engaged by the figure 33, the said leaf springbeing fixedly attached as at 37 to the platform 10. Connected to the loop end 36 of the leaf spring is a resili ent element '38 which may appropriately be formed of rigid metal wire which resilient element is fixed as at 39 to the platform 10 and is arranged so as to be engaged by the outer end of the rotatably operating member or arm 32. lVith this constructionit will be seen that when the central figure T is rotated into a position facing the climbing figure P the resilient element 38 will be vdepressed by engagement ofthe operating arm therewith and the leaf spring 35 willbe tensioned. In the further rotation of the operating arm 32 the outer end thereof disengages the resilient element 38 releasing' the now tensioned leaf spring 35, which leaf spring now returns to 'its normal position and impels the figure 33 upwardly along the pole or standard 34 in simulation of a climbing action.

The figure P in the preferredembodiment of the invention represents an acro. batic performer and comprises a figure 40 made of sheet material and arranged for free rotation on a transverse portion 41 of a bracket 42 which bracket is fixedly at- 10. For actuating the acrobatic performer the operatlng arm 32 1s provldedwit-h a yoke-shaped element 43 arranged so as to tached to the rim of the platform or stage engage the body of the figure 40 below its axis of suspension. The construction is such that when the operating arm 32 with its yoke-shaped element 43 strikes the aerobatic figure the latter will be set intorapid rotation in natural'simulation of an acrobatic act. The performer 40 is so weighted as to normally assume and return to the vertical position shown in Figure 1 of the drawin gs.

The figure P may comprise another animal of any desirable configuration or form such as a, lion 44 movable-relatively to the brackets 45 and 46 simulating props, which brackets are fixedly attached to the rim of the platform or stage 10. The figure .44 is weighted so as to assume the position shown in Figure 10f the drawings with its fore legs on the prop 46 and with its hind legs on the prop 45. For operating the figure 4A the same is provided with an actuating device l7 shown more particularly in Figure 2 of the drawings, which actuating device comprises a lever having its fulcrum the lower arm 50 of the lever being. free to be struck by therotatable operating arm 32; With this construction it will beseen that as the central figure. T is moved into position facing the performing figure {l4 the operating arm 32 strikes the lower end 50 of the lever 47 moving the animal-figure 44 to an elevated position, the said animalfigure returning to its normal position when the operating lever .457 is released by the 011-, Ward movement of the operating arm With the construction thus far described it will be seen that each of the circumferentially arranged performing figures P to P4 is disconnected from any motor mechanism and is free to be operated by a common operating or actuating member, thus permitting all of the performing figures to be controlled and operated by relatively simple motor mechanism. Moreover, by means of this construction the performing. figures are mounted for movement independently of I each other and independent ofthe motor mechanism, so that eachrfigure may be operatedor manipulated bythe child. separately and apart from. the other figures and the motor mechanism, thus inhibiting the liability of deranging'or affecting the integrity of the motor parts when "any ofsuch figures be so independently operatedv orjmanipinlated. It will be further seen that simultaneously with the action imparted to the performing figures, the circustrainer T is moved into cooperation with the figures and the arm and baton thereof is actuated in synchronism with the performers. i

For operating all of the parts the motor mechanism M heretofore referredto'is provided and the said mechanism. is encased in the motor casing 11 above referred to. This motor mechanism comprises any wellknown or preferred construction and includes a spring motor 51 having a winding means 52 the spring motor being fixed at one end to a stop ratchet means 53 and being fixed at its other end to a drum 54 which drum carries an operating gear 55. The operating gear 55 meshes with a pinion 56 fixed to a shaft 57 which shaft carries a gear 58 meshing with a gear 59 which latter is fixed to the shaft 14-. WVith this construotionsit;

will be evident that when the spring motor is wound and released the gear trainwill operate to rotate the shaft 14 and to set all of the figures into actuation. Preferably the motor mechanism is providedwith a start and stop device comprising an oseil latable lever 60 having a crank portion til which is adapted to move into and out of:

the gear 62 the motor mechanismis stopped and when the said lever is moved out, of

engagement with the gear 52 the motor mechanism 18 released to permit operation of the. motor. ii

The use and operation of my improvedcircus .toy will in the main befully apparto the shaft .57. When the lever;60 is moved to engage at 48, the upper arm 49 of said lever being' fixed to the hind legs of the figure 44. and

ent from the above detailed descriptionthereof. It will be further apparent that Ihave provided a'relatively simple organization of-parts operated by a motor mechai.

nism of simple design, the parts including the performing figures and the circus trainerfigure being associated so as to be capable of rendering an amusing performance in natural characterization of a circus. It

will be further seen that the parts are interrelatedto permit a single motor mechanism for operating all the figures, the assembly or circus ensemble being capable of being manufactured economically and being capable of being used bythe child withfla mini-,

mum liability of breakage or :derangei'nent. It will be further apparent that numerous changes may be made in the parts and their relation one to the other and the designof the figures without departing from. the- I'spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

I claim s I .:1. A;toy of the character described comprising a centrally arrangedtoy figure, a

stationary support, a plurality of independ- .7 I

ently movable figures representing circus ,performersarranged on said support about the central figure and a motor means unconnected to said performing figureswvherehy said figures are movable independentl of the motor means'and independently of-each other, said motor means including an operatingmember' movable cyclically into cooperation Wlth the performing figures when the motor means is operated to impart to such figures in succession circus performing actions characterist c of such figures.

2. A toyof the'ccharacter described comprising a plurality of circumferentiallyar ranged'toy figures mounted for movement independent of each other and representing circus performers and a motor means 'unconnected to said performing figures whereby said figures are movable independently of the motor means and independently of each other, operating member movable cyclicallv' into cooperation with the performing figures when the'motor is operatedto impartto such figures in succession circus performing actions characteristic of such figures.

3. A toy "ofthe class described'comprising said motor means including an.

a platform, a stationary support, aphi'ral ity of toy figures representing circus performers mounted on saidsupportfor moveimpart thereto circus performing actions characteristic of such figures;

l. A toy of the cliaracter described comprising a centrally arranged rotatable figure V representing acircus trainer, a plurality of toy figures representing circus performers mounted for movement independently of each other and arrangedabout the "central figure, an operating'member rotatablewith said centrahfigure disconnected from said performing figures but arranged'for' cycliccoaction' with the performing figures 'for im parting to such figures in succession circus performing actlons cl'iaracterlstic" of such figures and a motor mechanism fol-rotatingthe central figure.

5. A toy of the cliaracter-'clescribed comprising a rotatably mountedtoy figure representing a circus: trainer, the said figure having a movable arm ai'idbaton, a stationary support, a plurality of toy figures representing circus performers mounted for'in dependent movement and arranged-onsa'id support about the clrcus trainer figurei'a member rotatable VltllSflld circus trainer figure and arranged so as to coa'ct with the performing figures when the member is r0- tated for imparting to such figures 1n succession circus performing actions'characteristic of such fi-gures mechanism for rotat ing said circus'trainer figure and means "for moving the arm and baton on'thecircus trainer figure when GZLCh PGIfOIIIIIDg figureisset into action.

6. A toy of the character described c0mprising a rotatably' mounted'toy-figurerepresenting a circus trainer, the said figure having an oscillatable arm and baton, a

stationary support, a pluralitycf independ ently movable toy figures representing circus performers arranged on said support about the circus trainer figure, a member rotatable with said circus trainer figure and arranged so as to coact with the performingfigures when the member is rotated forimparting to such figures in succession circus performing actions characterlstic of such figures, mechanism for rot'atingsaid circus trainer figure and means operated by the rotation of the circus trainer figure for 0s-1 cillating the arm and baton'thereon in co-' operationw'ith the action imparted '--to the performing figures.

7. A toy of the character described comis moved cyclically into means-forcausing-it to assume a normal po--- prising rotatabi 'mounted toy figare rep resenting ci'reus'train'er, the said figure having" a movable arm and baton, a stationary platform, a plurality of toy figures representing circus performers mo'un'ted for independent'movementand arranged on said platform about the circus trainer figure, nieans-foractuating saidperforming figures insuccession,mechanism forrotating said cir} cus trainer figure and means for moving the arm and baton on the circus trainer figure each time a performing figure is set into action. 7 I

8. A toy ofthe-charact er described-com prising a circus toyfigure mounted-for verti'cal movement simulation of -a climbing action, means for vertically moving the figure, a rotatably mounted toy figure representinga' circuS trainer provided with a;

movable arm' and baton and having amember disconnected" from but cyclically movable into'cooperation with saidmeanstoimpart the vertical movement to the climbing figure, the said climbing toy" figure having sition-andto return to said-normal position after being actuatedymotor mechanism for rotating said member and means for moving the a-rm andbaton ofthe circus trainer figure in timed relation with the actuation of said cli'mbingfigure'. v

9. A toy of the character described comprisinga circus toy figurehaving a movable part, a rotatable figure representing a circus Y trainer having an operating member movable therewith and cyclically: movable into cooperation with the movable part of"- said circus toy figure I for impartinga movement thereto in simulation of a circus" per forming actiomthe said movablepart being movable independently ofsaid operating member andbeing constructed to assume a normal 'position"an'd to return to such normal position-after being actuated and'motor mechanism fo-r rotating said rotatable figure.- I

10, Atoy ofthe-character describe'd'comprising a circus toy" figure having a movable part, a'rotatable figure representing a circus trainer having a movable arm and baton and'having-an'operating member rotat-able with the figure and cyclically movable into cooperation with the movable part of said circustoyfigure for imparting a movement thereto in simulation of a'circus performing action, the said movable part being movable independently of said operating member andbeing constructedto ashaving an actuating member cyclically mov- 11. A toy of the character described com means for causing it to assume a normal poprising a rotatably mounted circus toy sition and to return to said normal position 10 figure simulating an acrobatic performer, a after being actuatecLand motor mechanism rotatable figure representing a circus trainer for rotating said member.

Signed at New York city in the county of able into engagement With the acrobatic New York and State of New York, this figure for imparting rotary movement to the 30th day of December, A. D. 1924,. same, the said acrobatic figure including 7 g LOUIS MARX. 

